Drinking tube



J. E. BRIESE DRINKING TUBE Nov. 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 16,1956 FIG. 3

FIG. I

FIG. 2

JOHN E. BRIESE INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. E. BRIESE DRINKING TUBE Ndv. 5, 19572 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1956 JOHN E. amiss INYENTOR ATTORNEYdescribed and claimed, reference United States Patent C DRINKING TUBEJohn E. Briese, Verdun, Quebec, Canada Application October 16, 1956,Serial No. 616,242 Claims. (Cl. 46116) This invention relates in generalto new and useful improvements in childrens feeding devices, and moreparticularly to an improved toy drinking tube.

Many children go through the stage where it is necessary to eitherinduce them to or force them to drink liquids, such as milk, fruitjuices and the like. In view of this, it is the primary object of thisinvention "to provide a toy drinking tube which includes an animated toyportion operated due to the movement of liquids through the toy drinkingtube during a liquid sipping or drinking process thus enticing childrento drink liquids.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy drinking tube whichincludes tube portions for conveying liquids from a container to onesmouth, there being I mounted in one of the tube portions a pipeassembly, the pipe assembly including a motor assembly, there beingconnected to the motor assembly an animated object which is operated inresponse to a drinking operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved toy drinkingtube which is readily manufactured from relatively cheap materials suchas plastic or the like and which is so constructed whereby it may bemass produced at a nominal cost so as to make the manufacture thereofeconomically feasible.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy drinking tube forinducing children to drink liquids, the toy drinking tube including tubeportions for conveying liquids from a container to a childs month, therebeing carried by one of the tubes an animated toy which is operated inresponse to adrinking operation, the toy having connected thereto motormeans, the motor means being of such a nature whereby the toy may bevaried .as desired, the drink tube including a pipe having areciprocating shaft disposed therein comprising a portion of the motormeans.

These together with other objects and advantages which will subsequentlybecome apparent reside in the details of construction and operation asmore fully hereinafter being bad to the accompanying drawing forming apart hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts. throughout, andin which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a form of the invention in general andshows generally the outline thereof;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through a major portion ofthe toy drinking tube of Figure 1 and shows the specific detailsthereof, a second tube portion of the drinking tube being shown inelevation with an intermediate portion thereof being broken away, .anelevated position of the movable parts of the toy drinking tube beingshown in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially from theplane indicated by section line 33 of Figure 1 and shows the position ofa movable member of the animated toy assembly with respect to anenclosure in which it is positioned;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyfrom a plane indicated. by the section line ice 4-4 of Figure 2 andshows .a cross section of the second tube portion;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyfrom the plane indicated by section line 5-5 of Figure 2 and shows across section of a first tube portion;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through a major portion of aslightly modified portion of a toy drinking "tube, the toy drinking tubehaving a toy assembly which is in the form of a ring the bell type toy,a second tube portion thereof being shown in elevation with intermediateportion thereof being broken away, the operative means for the toyassembly being shown in a retracted position by dotted lines;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of still another modified form of toydrinking tube with portions thereof being broken away and shown insection illustrating the details thereof, an operating position of thetoy assembly thereof shown in dotted lines;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially from theplane indicated by the section line 8--8 of Figure 7 and shows furtherthe details of the toy assembly of the drinking tube of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view taken substantially from the planeindicated by the line 99 of Figure 6 and shows further details of thering the bell type toy.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in Figures 1 through 5, inclusive, a toy drinking tube whichis referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. Toy drinking tube10 includes a first tube portion 12 which is normally verticallydisposed. The first tube portion 12 is generally semicircular in crosssection and includes an arcuate wall portion 14 and a fiat Wall portion16. Connected to an upper part of the first tube portion 12 is a secondtube portion 18. The second tube portion 18 includes an elongated part20 which is circular in cross section, as is best illustrated in Figure4. The elongated part 20, terminates in the lower end thereof in acurved part 22 which is connected to the flat wall 16 and which iscommunicated with the interior of the first tube portion 12. Theopposite end 24 of the second tube portion 18 is intended to be disposedin a childs mouth.

The first tube portion 12 includes a lower intake end 26 which may besloped if desired. The first tube portion 12 also includes an upper end28.

Carried by the upper end 28 of the first tube portion 12 is an animatedtoy assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral30. The toy assembly in 30 includes an enclosure or box 32. Box 32 isformed of a bottom wall 34, a body portion 36 and a cover 38. The bottomwall 34 has an opening 40 in which the upper end 28 of the first tubeportion 12 is received with the first tube 12 being secured to thebottom wall 34.

Disposed within the confines of the box 32 is a movable member 42 in theform of a figurine. The movable member is supported by a shaft 44 whichentends down into the first tube portion 12 and which has its lower endsecured to a piston 46. The piston 46 is of the same cross section asthe first tube portion 12 and forms therewith a seal. Also, due to theconforming cross sections of the piston 46 and the first tube 12,rotation of the piston 46 and the movable member 42 is confined.

The normal position of the piston-46 is below the connection between thefirst tube portion 12 and the second tube portion 18. Thus when liquidis drawn up into the lower part of the first tube portion 12, the piston46 is moved upwardly so that the liquid may pass into the second tubeportion 18. As the piston 46 moves upwardly, the shaft 44 moves upwardlyto move the movable member 42. to its upper dotted line position,

The cover of 38 is secured to the movable member 42 to move therewith.Thus the movable member 42 pops 1n and out of the box 32 so that the toy30 is of the jackin-the-box type.

During a drinking operation, as the liquid passes up into the first tubeportion 12, the piston 46 moves upwardly until it clears the second tubeportion 18, the upper position of the piston 46 being clearly shown bydotted lines in Figure 2. At this time the liquid is free to flow fromthe first tube portion 12 into the second tube portion 18. When suctionin the second tube portion 18 is diminished, the piston 46 will movedownwardly by gravity and again assume a solid line position as seen inFigure 2.

At this time the movable member 42 returns to its position within thebox 32 and the cover 38 returns to its normal box closing position.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 9 in particular, it will be seen thatthere is illustrated a modified form of toy drinking tube which isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 50. The toy drinkingtube 50 in cludes a first tube portion 52 and a second tube portion 54.Tube portions 52 and 54 are identical with the tube portions 12 and 18,respectively, and further description is believed unnecessary. Carriedby the upper end of the first tube portion 52 is a ring-the-bell typetoy which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 56.

The toy 56 includes a vertical support 58 secured to the upper part ofthe first tube portion 52 removed from the second tube portions 54.Carried on the upper part of the support 58 by means of a supporting end60 is a bell 62.

Carried within the first tube portion 52 for vertical reciprocatorymovement is a piston 64 similar to the piston 46. The piston 64 hasconnected thereto a reciprocal shaft 66 which is provided at its upperend with a movable member in the form of a striker 68 for the bell 62.In order that the shaft 66 may be guided in its vertical movement, thereis secured to the upper end of the first tube portion 52 a guide plate70.

It is to be understood that the mechanical operation of the componentsof the animated toy assembly 56 will be the same as that of the animatedtoy assembly 30. The only part which has been changed in the my drinkingtube 50 over the toy drinking tube is the specific design of theanimated toy assembly.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 in particular, it will be seen thatthere is illustrated a third form of toy drinking tube which is referredto in general by the reference numeral 72. The toy drinking tube 72includes a first tube portion 74 and a second tube portion 76, the tubeportions 74 and 76 corresponding to the tube portions 12 and 18,respectively, of the toy drinking tube 10. Mounted on the upper end ofthe first tube portion 74 is an animated toy assembly which is referredto in general by the reference numeral 78. The animated toy assembly 78is of the animal feeding type.

The animated toy assembly 78 includes a supporting platform or perch 80.The supporting platform 80 overlies the upper end of the first tubeportion 74 and is secured thereto. The supporting platform 80 iselongated and extends towards the second tube portion 76 in alignmenttherewith. The supporting platform has an enlarged opening 82 throughwhich there passes a reciprocal shaft 84. The lower end of the shaft 84is connected to a piston 86 which corresponds with the piston 46.

The right end of the supporting platform 80 as viewed in Figure 7, isprovided with a pair of transversely spaced, upstanding ears 90including transverse aligned apertures. The ears 90 carry a shaft 92.Mounted on the shaft 92 on opposite sides of the ears 90 are ears 94which depend from a lever 96. The lever 96 has on the left end portion,as viewed in Figure 7, an outwardly the second drinking tube 76 andprojecting equivalents may be resorted to,

raised portion 98 which presents a socket 100 in which the upper end ofthe shaft 84 is received.

Secured to the right end of the lever 96 as viewed in Figure 7, is amovable member 102 in the form of a figurine. In the present instance,the figurine is illustrated by a bird, although other types of animalsmay be equally as well depicted. Secured on the intermediate portion ofupwardly therefrom is a feeding bowl 104. The feeding bowl is so alignedwith the figure 102 so that the head 106 of the figurine 102 moves downinto alignment with the feeding bowl 104.

When the piston 86 is moved upwardly due to a drinking operation in themanner described with respect to the piston 46, the shaft 84 movesupwardly to pivot the lever 96 about the end 92. This results in thefigurine 104 pivoting in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 7,so that the head 106 thereof will move towards the feeding bowl 104 soas to simulate the feeding of the animal which the figurine 102presents.

Although the various components of the toy drinking tube 10, 50 and 72may be formed of any desired materials, it is preferred that they beformed of a suitable plastic material. This is particularly true becauseplastics are light weight and durable, and at the same time may beeasily formed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes .willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and fallingWithin the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toy drinking tube for inducing children to drink liquids, saiddrinking tube comprising a normally generally vertical first tubeportion, a second tube portion, said second tube portion having one endcommunicating with said first tube portion intermediate its endspermitting fluid to flow therebetween, the other end of said second tubeportion being a mouth engageable end, said first tube portion having alower intake end and an upper end, a toy assembly mounted on said upperend, motor means carried by said first tube portion connected to saidanimated toy assembly for actuating the same, said motor means beingactuated in response to flow of liquids into said first tube portion.

2. A toy drinking tube for inducing children to drink liquids, saiddrinking tube comprising a normally generally vertical first tubeportion, a second tube portion, said second tube portion having one endcommunicating with said first tube portion intermediate its endspermitting fluid to flow therebetween, the other end of said second tubeportion being a mouth engageable end, said first tube portion having alower intake end and an upper end, a toy assembled mounted on said upperend, motor means carried by said first tube portion, said animated toyassembly including a movable member, said motor means including areciprocable shaft connected to said movable member for actuating saidmovable member in response to flow of liquid into. said first tubeportion.

3. A toy drinking tube for inducing children to drink liquids, saiddrinking tube comprising a normally generally vertical first tubeportion, a second tube portion, said second tube portion having one endcommunicating with said first tube portion intermediate its endspermitting fluid to flow therebetween, the other end of said second tubeportion being a mouth engageable end, said first tube portion having alower intake end and an upper end, a toy assembly mounted on said upperend, motor means carried by said first tube portion, said animated toyasembly including a movable member, said motor means including areciprocal shaft connected to said movable member, a piston on saidreciprocable shaft for actuating said movable member in response to flowof liquid into said first tube portion.

4. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 3 wherein said piston isnormally disposed below said second tube portion, said piston beingmovable :above said second tube portion in response to flow of liquidthrough said first tube portion into said second tube portion.

5. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 3, said first tube portionand said piston are of a cross section other than circular wherebyrotation of said piston is prevented.

6. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first tubeportion includes a flat side, said second tube portion being connectedto said flat side.

7. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein said toy assemblyis in the form of a jack in the box, said toy assembly including a boxsecured to said first tube portion upper end, said movable member beingin the form of a figurine.

8. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 7 wherein said box has acover, said cover being secured to said figurine and movable therewith.

9. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein said toy assemblyis in the form of a feeding animal, said toy assembly including asupporting platform secured to said first tube portion upper end, afeeding bowl mounted on said second tube portion, said movable memberbeing pivotally connected to said supporting platform and being in theform of an animal figurine.

10. A toy drinking tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein said toyassembly is in the form of a ring-the-bell toy and includes a supportsecured to said first tube portion upper end, a bell carried by saidsupport, said movable member being in the form of a striker for saidbell.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,784,961 Enneking Dec. 16, 1930 2,058,241 Langos Oct. 22, 19362,063,803 Gildersleeve Dec. 8, 1936 2,544,594 Goldfarb Mar. 6, 1951.2,619,770 Dinhofer Dec. 2, 1952

